@Daniel_Maidman
About two thirds of the way through writing the second volume of Railroad to Zanzibar. I'm hoping to have it out early 2027.View quoted post on X
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind...
2004 was peak Quirk Wave cinema, when the music video directors of the 90s (like Michel Gondry) got a shot at feature films with decent budgets.
Thanks to Stuck Culture® 2004 doesn't feel like it's that far in the past. Aside from the lack of smartphones and flatscreens it's a very familiar world, so for the most part the film holds up.
I say "for the most part" because the VFX, which felt seamless at the time, are a little clunky. But then again on this watch I was looking to see if 2004-era VFX felt clunky.
I saw this in the theater at least 3 times. Mainly because it's a great film, but also because I was working in VFX at the time and was enthralled by the subtle (but effective) use of digital effects. I kept going back to figure out how they did it.
My favorite VFX moment is during the memory of the breakup, when Kate Winslet is drunkenly storming away down the sidewalk with Jim Carrey in chase.
Gondry removed one of Winslet's legs in post to (I assume) disorient the audience and add to the sense of chaos. And then, just to send the confusion over the top, a car unexpectedly falls from the sky...
As always, I have to wonder if this could be made today.
The big issue is pacing. It takes almost 20 minutes for the plot to get going. The theatrical audience of 2004 didn't have an issue with it--they'd taken the time to go to the theater, buy a ticket, and get comfy with their popcorn. They were invested, and they weren't going to walk out because of a slow start.
But a contemporary streaming audience--sitting at home with an almost infinite choice of content and other digital distractions--would have switched to another movie by the time Eternal Sunshine gets rolling.
I'd like to say that Eternal Sunshine too smart for today's audience. Because even though the world of 2004 doesn't feel wildly out of place, an actual insightful and masterfully told story about the pain and drama and general messiness of love is too much to handle in our Current Year.
But then again, maybe this film is just an artifact from another time and place that's not coming back.
And any discussion of "they don't make 'em like they used to" is just silly.
Because the past is a foreign country.
And they make different movies there.View quoted post on X
I don't know who needs to hear this, but it might be everyone.View quoted post on X
Sam Hyde is wrong.
He's worse than wrong. Fractally wrong. Wronger than wrong.
The kind of wrong you get when you understand who the enemy is, and are trying to fight against him, but you're really still fighting for him, because you have foolishly conceded his initial premise.
Sam Hyde doesn't know what happiness is. That's why he tells you not to have any. Because he doesn't know what it is and what it's for.
Know the difference between happiness and pleasure.
Happiness isn't sitting in a dark room jerking off to pictures while sucking on a lollipop.
Happiness is what you get when you connect to other people.
Happiness is what you get when you accomplish something you're proud of.
Carry that heavy burden across a finish line. Make something useful out of wood or metal. Fix that leaking window. Debug your code. Write something true, or beautiful, or both. Teach someone. Cook a delicious meal that doesn't come out of a box. Grow your small business. Raise your son to be a better man than you.
Do something others admire.
Do something that makes you proud.
Happiness isn't taking, or slacking off. Nothing you can buy can bring you happiness unless you add your own effort to it.
Happiness comes from making, and improving, and giving.
Happiness doesn't shun burdens. Happiness picks them up.
You are not made to suffer or to hate life. You are made to thrive, and to desire what makes you thrive. How could your ancestors have made it this far in any other way?
Yes, there are a lot of burdens you have to carry, especially right now. But don't carry them with worry and fear and suffering.
Carry them with pride.
Set them down across the finish line with joy.
And pick up the next one with hope.
Find someone to carry it with you.
When you know the difference between happiness and pleasure, your own mind, your own body, will tell you exactly what you need to do.
tvseriesfinale.com Grey's Anatomy: Season 23 Renewal; ABC Medical Drama Series Returning for 2026-27 Those who work at Grey-Sloan will be back at work during the 2026-27 TV season. ABC has renewed Grey's Anatomy for a 23rd season. The show's 22nd season 
